Possessing and accessing extreme internet pornography could become illegal under government proposals.

Distribution of extreme pornography is illegal in the UK but this does not affect foreign websites, so new laws could ban possession of it in Britain.

The Home Office and Scottish Executive are consulting on whether new laws are needed and what should be covered.

The idea was welcomed by the family of Jane Longhurst, of Hove, murdered by a man addicted to violent net porn.

The aim is for a new offence of possessing violent and abusive pornography, which could be punishable by up to three years in prison, Home Officer Minister Paul Goggins told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Mr Goggins said such images were "extremely offensive to the vast majority" and had no place in society.

If it is found that the law can be strengthened to cut violent pornography from our society, then we will take action

"If it is found that the law can be strengthened to cut violent pornography from our society, then we will take action."

The proposals were welcomed by Metropolitan Police Commander Dave Johnston.

Mr Johnston, a representative of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "The internet is being targeted more and more by those who create sites that specialise in sexual violence and other types of extreme perversion."

'Assist investigations'

The fact many sites were outside the UK made investigations very difficult and the creation of new offences would "assist greatly", he said.

"The fact that it is available over the internet should in no way legitimise it," he said.

The serious problem with it is the assumption that ordinary people cannot be trusted to make up their own minds

However, Dr Chris Evans, founder of a group called Internet Freedom, told the Today programme that no material should be banned and people should be able to make up their own minds.

"There is a recognition, even in the proposals, that 60 years of research into media effects shows no conclusive evidence that violent images cause violent acts, so I think that the very idea that we need to ban it doesn't hold water," he said.

"But I think the serious problem with it is the assumption that ordinary people cannot be trusted to make up their own minds about what they read, watch or see."

But Mr Goggins argued that they could "certainly point to cases" where viewing such images had an effect - such as in the brutal murder of Jane Longhurst.

Jane's murder

Miss Longhurst was murdered in Hove, Sussex, two years ago by a friend's boyfriend, Graham Coutts, who had spent hours viewing images of women being strangled and raped.

Ms Longhurst's mother Liz, of Reading, Berkshire, was shocked that such images were freely available over the internet and has campaigned for new laws.

Martin Salter, Labour MP for Reading West, praised Mrs Longhurst's "courage and motivation" and said he was pleased the legal "loophole" of the internet could be closed.

He said Mrs Longhurst had sought to ensure others "did not experience her dreadful loss when her lovely daughter Jane was murdered by a sick, self-confessed addict of extreme internet porn".

The Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten urged the government to provide a "very clear and succinct definition" of what constitutes violent and abusive pornography.

"Sensible measures which protect children from extreme sites should be warmly welcomed. However, the government must avoid creating a nanny state or introducing laws that can't be enforced," he said.

Consultation on the proposals is open to everybody, including interested parties and the public, and people can give their views until 2 December.